living.learning.loving.

lazy blogger.

2008-01-29T06:03:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't you know that as soon as I make an announcement that I am reinstating my blog, I lose my home access to the internet...and I still haven't got it reconnected...ho hum. I don't miss the TV as much as I thought, but the internet I do. How else would I keep connected with all the lovely people of the world :) I guess this isn't the time for me to be connected, I am focusing on other things right now, like cooking...LOTS of cooking. Its great having new pans and knives and it's been inspiring me lately. Going on my first ski trip in two weeks, never skied before so lets hope I don't break something! So I guess this is goodbye for now. I will be back though. With more thoughts and new ideas. Probably not for a couple months, but what can ya do. Peace.

greetings from work.

2008-01-04T12:46:00.000-08:00

Well, another holiday season gone by, and another bill unpaid, nothing like tradition :) This time it's the cable bill which means no internet at home...this is tough for me. I am doing all of my surfing, blogging, emails, bill pay EVERYTHING from work. Hehe, sure does help pass the time though. This means that I still can't upload pictures to post. I will, someday though. In the mean time I will make little notes here from day to day. Happy New Year!

do not open until Christmas.

2007-12-18T07:03:00.000-08:00

This is my last time here until after Christmas. I will be leaving tomorrow morning to go to Michigan. Upon returning I plan on setting up my computer desk (finally) It won't have the internet at first, but will allow me to scan, upload, and if I get Photoshop for Christmas, edit my photos, oh and if I get ink for my printer, print. I will be a fully functional computer/scrapbooking nerd once again!!! YES!

I hope everyone has a Merry Merry Christmas, take time to slow down, appreciate friends, family, traditions, and LOTS of good food, I know I will :)

student loans and christmas parties.

2007-12-14T12:42:00.000-08:00

LOANS: One thing I love, and one thing I hate...can you guess which is which? Haha. I won't go on too much but student loans are at the top of my sh*t list right now. I am trying to get it all figured out and plan and budget and right now it seems impossible. But, I REFUSE to give up. I will not let these loans take over my life and I will remind myself that they allowed for my education and invaluable life experiences. Ahhhhhh...that felt good.

PARTIES: One a lighter note, the first of the few Christmas parties I have to go to this year is tomorrow...and it just so happens that it is at my house :) I am super excited and have LOTS of yummy food to cook. I will be sure to take pictures and try to upload them sometime soon. The menu consists of a brie wreath with cranberry chutney, bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, a veggie tray, ham roll-ups, and chicken/mozzerella meatballs w/ pesto...and that's just what I am making :) Denise is bringing falafel, Suzy is making cookies, and Christie is bringing Jello Shots and maybe some chicken/ bacon wraps. Ahh, the food is my favorite part about parties. Should be a blast. Then I have Christmas with my cousin and family next Friday, with Tom and Robin on Saturday, and Christmas Eve on Mon. I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!!!!

An inspirational quote I found today "Remember life isn’t about finding yourself - life is about creating yourself…” on Tim Holtz's website.

blog feelers

2007-12-11T11:18:00.000-08:00

Work has been slow and I have been putting my blog feelers out there. Here is some fun/inspirational stuff that I came up with. (Please excuse the weirdness of the picture placement, I haven't figured this out yet)

Love this quote (found on a past post of Keri Smith's Blog) this is relevant to my current urge to REorganize my scrapstuff, yet again:

My problem with classifications is that they don't last; hardly have I finished putting things into an order before that order is obsolete. Like everyone else, I presume, I am sometimes seized by a mania for arranging things. The sheer number of the things needing to be arranged and the near-impossibility of distributing them according to any truly satisfactory criteria means that I never finally manage it, that the arrangements I end up with are temporary and vague, and hardly any more effective that the original anarchy....In short, I muddle along."-- George Perec

Just a rambling that I also found on her blog, I firmly believe this.

This is the layout for the current challenge on Two Peas...
love the idea of collaging and using LOTS of product. Want to try this technique.

Found this site through Ali's blog, fun to play around with.

good intentions :)

2007-12-11T07:09:00.000-08:00

Well, I had good intentions of once again becoming a member of the blogging community, however certain circumstances are trying to stand in my way. As of this past weekend the internet at my house is not working or as the cable company puts it "limited or no connectivity" This could be from one of two things, the first is that the cable company just doesn't have their poop in a group and their network is down (which with these guys is totally probable). The second would be the fact that our balance is over due and they have chosen to freeze our internet access and let us keep the cable TV (this is also very probable, unfortunately, but it is the Holiday season.) Either way, this means that I will not be able to upload photos and such with ease. I have full access here at work (thank God!!!) and will do what I can from here until I can get up and running at home again. Cable is just too stinkin' expensive, and I am thinking of trying to go TV free. I don't know if Dave and I would make it, but think of all the reading and crafting I could get done :):):)

tgif.

2007-12-07T07:34:00.000-08:00

I feel like this week lasted FOREVER. But, it's Friday and the day is moving along nicely. I am looking forward to a weekend of staying in and completing the rest of my holiday projects since it is going to be cold and nasty here. I am also planning on uploading new pictures and making my blog banner.

I can't believe the first week of December is already gone! I have a week until the Christmas party at our house and less than two before I get to go home for a week...I cannot wait!!! SO many fun things planned. I am hoping to be able to sign on while I am there to give little updates, however the computer at my parents is way way too slow to try and upload pictures so that will have to wait until I get back home.

On another note I have been thinking about the new year and what I want to get out of it. I want to set some goals for myself and really follow through with them. I think one of the things I am going to do is to enter the Creating Keepsakes Hall of Fame contest...if not that at least try to participate in more contest/submission calls. I miss it and need to figure out a system that is going to work for me. I am also thinking of taking one week night and dedicating it to crafting. I think this will relieve some of the pressure I feel to enjoy my hobby.

Alright, I will check back in this weekend with a banner and pictures for all to see :)

reconnecting.

2007-12-05T08:29:00.001-08:00

Five months later. I am trying to reconnect with the world. The world of blogging, sharing stories, and scrapbooking. I am also giving the blog a facelift. I have updated the colors and will be adding a new banner sometime this week. The season is a busy one, and maybe not the best to add something else to my list of things I want to do, but it is also the season for sharing and that inspires me. My outlook on things is also changing, slowly but sure and that inspires me too. Lastly, it is inspiring to see other people sharing their lives through words and pictures in such different ways. So, to those who are interested..."I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaack" :)

bUSy liTtLE BeE

2007-07-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

As usual I am busy keeping myself busy :) Here's what I have been up to and some things I want to share.

--LOTS of homework ( I have to keep reminding myself that I only have three more weeks until I am done FOREVER!!)
--Finishing up the last week of my internship this week for the Petersen House Museum. Overall I think it went well. It was fun and I learned a lot. I HOPE *fingers crossed* that I can find something in this field in New Jersey.
--Speaking of New Jersey, 11 days and counting until we leave. I am SO SO excited! A little nervous but mostly excited :) So, I am busy packing, and making lots of arrangements. I am still waiting to hear back on a couple of things regarding the finances of the trip and am biting my nails until I know what's going on.
--So, since I am packing, this means that all my scrap stuff is being packed away :( However, I feel like this is a good thing. Although I love it, scrapbooking is not the only avenue of art that I enjoy. I feel like I need to get back to what started my interest in art, drawing, watercolors, colored pencils, stuff like that. So when I set up my new desk at our new place I am going to set it up for creating paintings and drawings, very excited about this.
--I cannot however completely give up journaling and photos, so I have decided to keep an art journal/ travel journal. I have limited myself to filling one 12 x12 art bin with supplies from my stash...let me tell you it is TOUGH to choose what to include. I am excited to see how it turns out though with a limited number of supplies.
--Lastly, I am jumping on the flickr bandwagon and starting my own page to share photos. Here is the address and it will be added to my links on the right. There is only one pic right now, but I will be adding more soon.
--One more thing...if I owe you a RAK, and you are checking this I am still sending them, just haven't got to the post office yet :)

2007-07-07T19:26:00.000-07:00

OK....I have been wanting to do one of these for a LONG time...and now is the time! My first RAK...and trust me I will be doing more within the next few weeks :)

So the first one is for a Journaling Your Story idea book from Scrapbook Trends...I was published and given two copies...and one of you lucky folks will be the recipient.

Just leave a comment and I will draw Sunday night and announce the winner on Monday! Good Luck!

hAPpy 4tH!!!

2007-07-04T14:46:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July! We are grillin out, maxin and relaxin. On the menu is T-bone steaks, corn on the cob, ceasar salad, chips n dip, and brownies!! YUMMY! Oh and some beer :) Hopefully going to see CCR tonight and catch some fireworks...right now just enjoying my A/C (its 117 here) and the A-Z weekend on the Classic Rock station. Have fun today.

At ThE NOok

2007-07-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

Well I have been online the last few days...a lot actually, but I haven't posted because I have been spending most of my time over that My Scrapbook Nook. I was invited to participate in phase two of a Design Team call and it has been awesome! I have been scrapping, and chatting and uploading non-stop! It is a great way to do a call. I won't know who made the team for another week or so and am dying of anticipation...but whatever the outcome I am going to stick around over there. It's nice to have people to talk to and obsess over this thing we call scrapbooking.

Other than that my life has been the usual homework (only for another 5 weeks though:) and errands. Our plans for moving are going along nicely and we should be out in a month. We put some stuff up for sale (furniture and stuff) and have almost sold all of it so that's nice. Need to do some more packing, but I need boxes first. I can't wait. New Jersey here we come!!!!

a ReiNstatEmENt.

2007-06-26T13:34:00.000-07:00

Well in looking at the date of my last post, it looks as though I haven't been here in about a month. That is why I am reinstating my blog. It has been a crazy month, but I am ready to return so I can share, create, and be inspired.

To start things off, I decided to share some photos I have gathered from various blogs and sites that are inspiring to me. Enjoy!

Much needed vacation...

2007-05-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

Ahhh...why does life have to be so tough sometimes? I feel like it never ends. But there is an upside...vacation. And that is exactly where I will be from tomorrow afternoon through Monday. Dave and I are driving to LA to visit Heidi and Jon and I CAN'T WAIT!!!! It is going to be so much fun and I get to go to the beach...yea! I plan on taking a million pictures of course. Speaking of pictures, below is Dave and I's newest obsession. The Golden Spoon, they serve over 20 flavors of completely fat-free frozen yogurt....and man is it good. Cheesecake and Peanut Butter are my favorties. The picture is from when we went to the Grand Opening and got FREE ice cream. I went with old fashioned vanilla and sprinkles :) Good because it tastes good, but even better because it's guilt free. We went three times in the last week...hehe. The only bad part is the toppings, they can get dangerous, but with fat-free ice cream do I really have to worry? Sorry for those on the East Coast, this is a West coast only francise.

New and exciting things are coming...

2007-05-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

I know I shouldn't want them to, but I can't wait for the next ten weeks of my life to go by. Not that I am not doing anything worth while here, quite the contrary actually, but I love change and new things and that is coming very soon. I have moving fever and have already started some of the planning process. I have our route planned and our budget (now all we have to do is save the money). I have also decided-no scrapbooking-until we move. I know it sounds crazy since it is usually such a part of my daily life, but I am feeling uninspired and overwhelmed by it. I am going to focus my energy on my internship and doing the best possible job I can and our move, new ideas for our new apartment, selling old stuff, packing, planning all of that. And I am going to try and just take more pictures without thinking about how I am going to scrap them and all of that. I have this gut feeling that Pittsburgh is going to be the place for us. I didn't have that feeling about Arizona, and it definitely wasn't. I am starting a new chapter in my life now that school is over, we are saving money for a house, and have big plans and goals for ourselves. It feels good. It feels right. Here are some pictures that I took while out on a walk down the canal (manmade) that runs behind our complex. The first is a really cute car I saw, the second is the canal at sunset, and the third is obviously a street light, but I love the way it came out.

self portrait

2007-05-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

One of the challenges on Elsie's blog today was to take a creative self portrait. I love doing this, and having a digital camera makes it easy to take a ton and keep the good ones :) Also some new exciting things are happening in my life so I will hopefully be blogging a little more often. Busy morning though, gotta run.

a new chapter...

2007-05-02T10:44:00.000-07:00

I have so many things I want to write about right now. So many thoughts and ideas going through my head I don't really know where to start. I guess I will just pick a spot and go with it.
Well, yesterday was officially my last day of class....FOREVER!!! I will never have to sit in a classroom for school again (unless of course I choose to go to grad school, but we will cross that bridge when we get there :). I still have two tests next week, but NO MORE CLASS! It is a weird feeling that I don't really think has sunk in yet. This has led me to other thoughts about where I am going next and what I want to allocate time for. A blog that read from Ali Edwards has been exploring the idea of taking what she calls your life temperature. This consists of weighing your priorities and trying to achieve a sort of balance that works best for you. Also, in leu of spring, (even though we really don't have that springy feeling here in AZ) I have been itching to clean stuff out, simplify, and focus on what I want to be a part of my daily life. We have 13 weeks left here before we go to Pennsylvania and I can't wait to go through all my stuff and get rid of some of it. I am definitely not a pack rat and have never had a problem getting rid of stuff. I hate when I start to feel like my stuff overwelms and controls me. I just went through my closet last week and got rid of two bags of clothes. I still had stuff from highschool in there (and I graduated 6 years ago!). It felt good and makes getting dressed in the morning easier without have to weed out all the stuff that doesn't fit, or is worn out. It is better for the self-esteem too I think. So, that is my goal for this first week without classes. Set a sort of schedule for myself and really think about what I want to do and stick to it (that is always the toughest for me). Well that does it for now. I will keep you updated on the process :)

12 Days later...an update :)

2007-04-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a long time since I posted. I am not even sure if anyone really reads this other than my sister. Dave says he checks it every so often, but he is here everyday and knows what goes on in my day-to-day so I am not sure that counts:) Anyways here is an update on various things along with some photos.

Easter: Went out for a fabulous breakfest at the farm then for dinner we went to our friends for dinner. Their little girl Jackie got a pirate kit in her Easter basket, we had fun playing pirates :)

CKC Mesa: No photos for this one. But, I did shop and got all kinds of new goodies. I also got some freebies for volunteering, books and kits and what not. It was a good experience overall.

School: Almost there, only a couple of classes left. Everything is in order for my intership (so far at least). And I am enrolled for all but one Summer class. I can't wait to be done :)

Scrapping: Cleaning the studio today and going through pictures that I haven't been through in a while to gather some older photos and really old ones (the ones from my grammy) to be inspired and challenge myself to scrap some new stuff. Like I said I got lots of new goodies that I dying to use :) I will share the layouts in my gallery.

Random: Dave got a tattoo!! It isn't done quite yet, but here is the outline. Also he was a sweetie and bought me flowers the other night as a surprise :) Love them!

Enjoy the pictures and have a great day!

sick.

2007-04-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

Well I have officially lost track of the days and have not written in quite a few. I am sick of school. Sick of Arizona. And yesterday was VERY sick to my stomach. I am hoping to get all things back in order and on my way to not being sick. I will let you know when I get there and will soon post easter photos.

DAY THIRTY: New Etsy Shop!

2007-03-31T15:47:00.000-07:00

Well, I have taken on yet another creative endeavor. I have opened and Etsty Shop! I will have a wide variety of items here from scrapbooking, to glassware, to photo prints. I am currently working on adding to it and will continue to do so throughout the week. Check it out and help spread the word!

DAY TWENTY NINE: On my mind

2007-03-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

Just wanting to share some things that are going on with me right now and on my mind.
*Submitting lots of pages for publication (hopefully)
*Trying some new techniques on my pages
*Throwing around ideas for a book and hoping to work with Heidi on it
*Happy that my herbs are doing so well (except the violet, its not dead yet though)
*Not wanting to go to school, I would rather be creating
*Reminding myself I need to call Dad and Marlana
*Looking forward to the weekend (food and fun)
*Not looking forward to the weekend (I have a paper to write and two tests to study for)
*Happy that the weather has cooled down some again (high of 68)
*Trying to come up with ways and contacts to break into the world of creating as a career

quick note

2007-03-27T18:37:00.000-07:00

I recieved a copy of the book I was published in today...absolutely fabulous! Here is a link Journaling Your Story. I am super busy this week and will write more later :) Have a great day, night, week, whatever!

DAY TWENTY EIGHT--spontaneous photo op

2007-03-21T11:06:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to share these pictures! I brought my camera with me to campus yesterday to take some pictures between classes and just documenting my day and I had my first spontaneous photo opportunity! At first I was taking pictures of the fountain from afar, then I tried to sneak up on the birds to get some close ups and when I got there, I was sitting on the edge of the fountain and they were perfectly happy splashing and playing with me right there. I was so glad I brought my camera. I am still new to photography and am learning but I am proud of these pictures! Enjoy!

DAY TWENTY SEVEN--spring.

2007-03-16T10:47:00.000-07:00

In the two years I have been here I have never really considered Spring to be a season that Arizona experiences. Afterall, it is already 85, I am in shorts and the AC is going. However, I have realized that this does not mean that we don't have a Spring, it is just...different. The smell of orange blossoms, especially in the cool night air is a sure sign. That and the smell of fresh cut grass ( I guess we have that all year round, but I am more aware of it this time of year). Spring here means getting up earlier to beat the heat to get stuff done. The sound of kids in the pool. But not for long, once it reaches the 100 degree mark ever migrates inside like it was winter. I am trying to enjoy the lively atmoshpere while it lasts :) (By the way I did not take these pictures, thank you yahoo images)

DAY TWENTY SIX--sorry sister.

2007-03-14T11:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry Marlana if you checked my blog...I told you I was going to post pictures last night and I didn't :) Anyway here is that post.

1. I got my internship!!!! This summer I will be working at the Petersen house for a couple of months. I went yesterday, and it wasn't even like and interview, she just told me what we were doing and said welcome aboard! I am so insanely excited. Here is a low down on what I will be getting to do (beware, unless you are into history and design, this might sound boring). Yesterday I got a tour of the house from a very knowledgable woman named Judy. Amazing. I learned so much, it was a lot to try to take in and remember though. Anyways, I will be stopping by in a couple weeks to pick up some literature to read before I start the project and to do a textile analysis for one of my classes. Then, come May I will be helping in the planning for the makeover of one of the upstairs bedrooms. It is currently in 1930s style and we will be changing it to late Victorian/ 1900s. I will be gathering resources on draperies, furniture, wallpaper etc. I cannot wait!

2. This week since I was on vacation I decided to start an herb garden. I obtained a shelf from Dave that I put in front of our window by the stairs. I went to Lowes and bought a peppermint plant, african violet, and generic foliage house plant (those are the ones in the picture) a basil plant and a rosemary plant(they are outside because they need more sun). I also braided some hemp together and hung it about the stand to hang the herbs to dry once they are large enough to pick. I am so excited. I am determined not to let these plants die.

3. This is my last day of "vacation" I technically don't have school until Tuesday, but today is my last homework free day, then its back to the grind stone. That is ok though, I have had time to try new things and relax for a while and no I only have 1.5 months left. :)

4. Right now I am importing all of our cds into our iTunes (what a task), preparing items to take to the postoffice which include a letter for my grammy for her birthday, an art journal I am starting with Heidi, postcards, and stuff I am sending to the lawyer. Also hoping to squeeze in some reading, the grocery store, and crafting :) Enjoy the day.

DAY TWENTY-FIVE--I lied.

2007-03-13T08:59:00.001-07:00

Ok so I lied and didn't post for two days. I am going to stop saying I am going to do that, because I realized it never really happens. Anyway just a quick post right now. I am getting ready for an interview at the Nils Petersen House in Tempe, AZ. It is for my applied study and I would be so relieved it all went well. Keep your fingers crossed. I also have a meeting for work. Yesterday I went to Lowe's and went plant shopping and started an herb garden. Pictures will be posted later.

DAY TWENTY-FIVE--I lied.

2007-03-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

DAY TWENTY-FOUR--crawling out

2007-03-10T13:58:00.000-08:00

Well I think I am finally crawling out of a funk I have been in. I have a week off from school and plan on doing some things I haven't otherwise had time for. Hopefully it will rejuvinate me. Also I am not sure why I am still counting days on here, seeing how I haven't written everyday, but oh well. I am going to write everyday until school starts again though. I will be posting pictures of my fun adventures this week. Tonight we are cooking Thai food, or a variation of it. A pork loin with this coconut-curry-peanut sauce, a thai veggie slaw, and some sort of spring roll or wonton. I LOVE FOOD!! I will post recipes if everything turns out well. I should post recipies on here from my collection. I just organized them onto recipe cards. Oooo good idea, when I make the recipes in the future I will take a picture of them, print it out and attach it to the card. Nice. Well ta ta for now.

DAY TWENTY-THREE: burnt out, winding down, finding creativity

2007-03-05T16:56:00.000-08:00

I know I sound like a broken record, but school is burning me out! I just finished a 7 page argument/research paper. Have a huge assignment due Friday (I think) and chapters to read. School related is my internship. Letters to be written, phone calls, transcripts...I can't wait for it all to be over. At least spring break is next week. I am hoping that the homework will be minimal and that I can refind my creative self. At least the house is clean and pretty, that always helps my mind be at ease. Dave bought me some beautiful sunflowers for the dining room. They make me smile, and I got good healthy food from the grocery store today. That is all. Oh and I updated my gallery on twopeas :)

DAY TWENTY-TWO: books.

2007-02-27T16:24:00.000-08:00

I would officially like to announce that at this point in the semester homework has taken over my life. So much. All the time.

I have also come to the realization that if I can't do one thing everyday (*cough, *cough, this blog) that is OK. Every few days is good.

I just realized today how many books I am currently reading. Simultaneously. This list does not include text books that I read excerts and do research in. Ok here goes.

Son of Witch by Gregory Macquire

Visual Chronicles by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino

Living Out Loud by Keri Smith

A History of Valentines by Ruth Webb Lee

Gender, Nature, and Nurture by Richard A. Lippa

Same Difference: How genter myths are hurting our relationships, our children, and our jobs by Rosalind Barnett and Caryl Rivers

Images of Myth in Classical Antiquity by Susan Woodford

Happy reading to everyone else enjoying books and lucky for you if you have no homework!

DAY TWENTY-ONE-long time no post.

2007-02-22T22:11:00.000-08:00

Well it's four days since my last post. Been wrapped up in homework and work and generally things I am not too fond of having to do. They leave little time for being creative and spending time reading and outdoors and stuff. Still spend too much time sleeping. It's not that I don't like it (obviously I do that why I spend so much time doing it) but I would rather be living than sleeping, even if by living I mean simply walking or reading. I need a motivater in my life. I am self motivating, but only about certain things and only so many at once. I need someone to whisper in my ear and remind me of those other things. A fairy godmother would be nice.

DAY TWENTY--target love <3

2007-02-18T18:39:00.000-08:00

I love Target. I think everyone does. Cheap. Cute. Well Designed. These are the goodies I picked up there today in addition to pictures I sent from Yahoo. A polka dot dust pan/broom, 2 orange dish scrubbies, yellow recipe cards (which I plan to transfer my recipies to tonight), a turquiose bracelet, big skull print hoop earrings, an acrylic alpha stamps set, multi-colored dotted packaging tape...all for $16!!! Love it. Going to take tonight to figure out the rest of the next few days. Dave is out of town on work so I am on my own. Rented Marie Antionette, Trust the Man, and Running With Scissors. Going to enjoy my new bed, watch movies, and create.

DAY NINETEEN--a day dedicated to creativity

2007-02-17T13:38:00.000-08:00

I got my new books in the mail yesterday. Living Out Loud by Keri Smith and Visual Chronicles by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino. SO excited. And I got the bonus issue of Creating Keepsakes! What a great day for mail! Today I have been alternating reading all three and doing some of the activities in Keri Smith's book. So much fun. I haven't turned on the TV once today. It is sunny and warm and breezy and the lilies my mom and dad got me smell wonderful. Perfect Day.

One of the exercises was to cut 1 1/2" squares out of a magazine. Start from the cover and using a craft knife cut down as deep as you can. Then go through the squares and choose what you like. Simple enough. I did this and put them into a journal I started today to practice all of these creative exercises in. The little boy, the black and white, and the ivy are my favorties.

Enjoy the day. I know I am :)

DAY EIGHTEEN--valentines in a nutshell

2007-02-16T14:15:00.000-08:00

*Flowers from my mommy (beautiful)
*Beer at Denny's (crazy right)
*A NEW Mattress (finally)
*Shucking Clams (painful)
*Filet Mignon and Red Wine (delicious)
*Time with my Sweetie (always good)

Valentines Day this year was great.

DAY SEVENTEEN--ahhh...

2007-02-15T10:27:00.000-08:00

Didn't get a chance to write yesterday...I was too busy sleeping on my new mattress!!!! We finally got it, and oh man is it comfy. Wish I didn't have such a busy day today so I could enjoy laying in it. But I have to leave the house in 4 minutes so I better get going. Pictures of the new bed tomorrow:)

DAY SIXTEEN--i did it

2007-02-13T16:25:00.000-08:00

Today is an 'I did it' day. I finished both my projects and turned them in this morning. I scrapped a page last night like I said I would about my mommy and me. I have been writing for sixteen days on this blog. I am doing laundry and having a nice evening with Dave. Can't wait for tomorrow. We don't have anything big planned...just quality time.

DAY FIFTEEN--inspiration and intimidation

2007-02-12T21:06:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been feeling over inspired...is that possible? I have so much STUFF going on in my head that I want to do and try that I get intimidated and don't know where to start. I try to just jump right in but it hasn't been working lately. For example: I have dying to scrapbook lately. I have lots of projects to start and ideas to work off of. Tonight would be the perfect night since Dave is gone at work. I could work in my studio, but I really want to watch a movie too so I was going to get some stuff and move it out onto the living room floor. I came in to get my stuff and again was intimidated by all the inspiring things I have and didn't know where to start. I mean I can't take it all out there? Should I just grab a few things and see where that takes me? Sounds like a good idea. I guess getting on here and writing about it helped. I knew this blog was good for something. Well I was going to put some pictures of my overinspirational space up but cannot find them :) Oh well.

DAY FOURTEEN--a productive weekend

2007-02-11T22:15:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love that feeling you get when you have a really productive day? Well for me that was my whole weekend. I worked all night Friday through to Saturday morning. Then Dave and I went downtown to the Phoenix Art Museum. Then we came home and made a good dinner. This morning we took Lou for an hour long walk. We kicked butt in cleaning the house. Went grocery shopping. Made super yummy chicken pot pie and watched the Grammy's. Makes me tired just thinkin' about it. But, not tired enough :) I am going to stay up and watch a movie and make project folders for the stuff I am working on. Just trying out another method of organization trying to find what works for me. Hoping it will make creating even easier :)

So like I said I went to the art museum. It was technically for a school project, but there was a lot of good stuff there. The Thorne miniature rooms are my favorite and coincidentally that is what my project is on. Below are a few pictures of my favorite rooms. They are ones I took myself so they are sort of dark. The first one is the 16th c. Italian Dining Room I chose for my project.

DAY THIRTEEN--sick and tired

2007-02-10T21:43:00.000-08:00

I am sick and tired of having a sore back and neck and of being exhausted from lack of a good mattress! I know it is coming to me soon, but not soon enough to solve my problems right this instant. Is it really possible for someone to be well rested after only 6-7 hours of sleep? I hope to find out soon.

DAY TWELVE--midnight movie

2007-02-08T23:32:00.000-08:00

I am watching a movie tonight that I recorded on DVR ( if you don't pay the extra $15 a month, DO IT, it's worth it). Steel Magnolias, now I know most everyone has seen this movie as it came out in 1989, yes eighteen years ago. I was only 6, but I have seen it many times over, and watching it alone with a glass of wine and a bowl of popcorn has been truely satisfying. I mean, an armidillo cake, 6"-8" hair dos, and blush and bashful? It's girly in the girliest of ways, but it celebrates life simplicities and women and what more could you want?

DAY ELEVEN--good morning world

2007-02-08T08:15:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love those days when you have a really good morning? A good hot cup of coffee, some Nora Jones (who has a new CD out that I need to get, or I could buy it on iTunes,hmm) reading inspirational books and blogs, and sunshine :) Good morning this morning.

However, not because I got to sleep on a new mattress. We temporarily got waylaid in that venture and will have to get in next week, but on the bright side at least we can still get it.

"the real news of our lives is not in the newspapers. we must chronicle our own adventures and achievements, our own brilliant observations and our comic relief, our best friends, and our greatest embarassments."--this quote is from a book I found by way of blog today called Visual Chronicles.

Have a super duper day! :)

DAY TEN--new hair

2007-02-07T13:10:00.000-08:00

Ahhh...I love the feeling of a new hair cut! I feel light and sexy and stylish. I have needed a hair cut for a while now, REALLY BAD...and now all that dead hair is gone. Also today Dave and I are going mattress shopping! I am so looking forward to a really good nights sleep. To be honest anything has got to be better than what we have now. So my plan for tomorrow is to wake up well rested and looking beautiful.

Got the new issue of AEZine for this week today and it deals with writing a personal creative manifesto. I will be working on in for a few days so look for that post later in the week.

Here is a link to a cool website I visited today Their Circular Life.

DAY NINE--wow!

2007-02-06T21:48:00.000-08:00

Wow! I am so lucky. I have the best boyfriend in the world.

DAY EIGHT--english 102 stinks

2007-02-05T23:30:00.000-08:00

Well, it is 12:30 am and I am still not done with my paper for English 102. That's right I am a senior in 102. I haven't stayed up this late doing homework in a few years. And I am not done! I am only half way there. I must sleep though and refocus in the morning. Maybe I am overanalyzing or just being a perfectionist. Sometimes I wish I could just throw together a crappy paper, even an average one, and be ok with it. But I just don't feel right not handing in my best work. I don't always feel this way, just when it comes to papers.

DAY EIGHT--food and fun

2007-02-05T09:49:00.000-08:00

Yup, I skipped another day :) Oh well. Yesterday Dave and I spent the day cleaning and cooking. Chris and Anne came over for the Super Bowl (which for me is just a great excuse to make food and drink beer). We made salsa, guacamole, a pasta salad with lots of yummy meats and cheeses and then a hot dog bar. Dave grilled the dogs and we had all the fixings. We had chili, cheese, onions, mustard, ketchup, grilled potatoes and peppers, marinara, pickles, celery salt and tomatoes for Chicago style...mmm they were good, and we have a TON of left-overs which means I don't have to cook for a couple days. Today is catch up on homework day, since I didn't do as much as I should have over the weekend. Hoping to scrap a page later today, no promises though.

DAY SEVEN--peanut butter and pop tart sandwiches.

2007-02-03T20:43:00.000-08:00

OH MY JESUS...Dave made the best snack today. A pop-tart (apple strusel flavor) and peanut butter sandwich...meant to be washed down with a cold glass of milk. So sweet, and so chewy that I could only handle two bites...but oh were they heaven.

On a second note I created a page today about what Dave and I have come to call Weekend Wednesday. Every month or two we have sworn to take off a Wednesday to have a day filled with fun and adventure. The envelope on the page holds a one page record of each one we have :)

DAY SIX--post # 2

2007-02-02T15:40:00.000-08:00

I wanted to post a scrapbook page I finished today about why I scrapbook. It's the first page I have done in a while and I am on a creative role so watch out!!!

DAY SIX--a million things

2007-02-02T07:57:00.000-08:00

Ok...so if you look at the dates you might realize that I did in fact skip a day, but you know what I decided...
it is OK
This is a philosophy and phrase that has been made popular by the talented Ali Edwards and I think that it is a great one...to read more check out her blog {A}.

I have about a million things I want to write and post about today, so I will probably be making posts throughout the day...in my head this will make up for those that are lacking.

Number one: I was SUPER tired this morning and had a tough time getting up...I was laying in bed reading about Greek art for a paper I need to write and the sun was coming in the window at the perfect angle. This then inspired me to try and take a photo of "my morning" like the ones on 3191. Here are the two that I took.

Number Two: AEZine is a weekly online newsletter that I receive from Ali Edwards and she always has some sort of topic or theme or the week and a little challenge to go along with it. Now that I have a place to post my answers to the challenge I will begin doing them. They usually deal with scrapbooking and being a life artist in general, and the one from last week asked about what my creating essentials were. Then this weeks was what is the "good stuff" that you use for creating. So below are my two lists.

Essentials
1. White, black, and kraft cardstock--I use all of these all of time. I usually use them as my "blank canvas" if you will. They allow the colors of the photos or other elements that I am working with to really stand out.

2. Paint--I never really used to use this much, but it has definitely become an essential of mine over the past few months and I don't see it leavin any time soon. Any color acrylic paint (haven't tried watercoulor yet) will do. For stamps, photo mats, borders, on transparencies...the possibilites are endless.

3. Fiskars paper trimmer--I have the old school gray one and I have been using it for about 5-6 years. It does everything I need it to do so I haven't purchased a new one, just replaced the blades.

4. Hermafix tab dispenser--It is strange how once you start using an adhesive you just kind of stick with it. I haven't tried a lot of the other ones out there like the dots or tape runners. I like the tabs but now that I get to thinking about it a runner would cover all edges of my photos and make sure they were really stuck down. Note to self: try new adhesive.

5. Gluestick--Now this is one adhesive I will never give up. Works great on small stuff and thin paper. Also great for covering chipboard and book covers. I think it is a given that if you are a crafter of any kind the gluestick is your friend.

6. Ink--Again, any brand and any color. I use it for stamps and to ink the edges of things. But lookin at my layouts I use it on almost everyone and that makes it an essential.

7. Photos--This one is obvious, but lately I have been experimenting with layouts that have no photos. However, they are still essential. They capture the moment and are a great way to share a slice of my life.

8. My Creative Notebook--This is a binder that I just recently put together. It now holds a section for sketches, one for journaling, one for techniques, one to just take notes on the everyday, my current issue of Creating Keepsakes, and my doodle notepad. This is where it all begins and I don't know what I would do without a place to put all my ideas.

Good Stuff

1. Rub-ons: I buy them in a variety of everything. I like them because they can go seamlessly over pictures, paper, embellishments, pretty much everything. What I don't like is when I try a new type of rub-on from a different company and they don't rub off!! So frusterating!

2. 7 Gypsies: I am putting them in their own category because lately I am using a ton of the 97% complete stuff. Word stickers, tags, rub-ons...all kinds of goodies.

3. Ephemera: I used a lot of other things I collected from certain places along with my pictures when I first started...then it because cheesey for me, but now I am finding more creative ways to work them into my layouts. By ephemera I mean tags, newspaper clippings, ticket stubs...that type of stuff.

4. Patterned Paper: More specifically dots and stripes. dots and stripes. I can't get enough. I love that they aren't themed and can be used on anything, as a whole sheet or just scraps.

5. Thin Point Sharpie: I never used to hand journal on my pages. I thought it looked messy. So because of that I didn't journal at all. Then I got into typing everything out, which, don't get me wrong, I still like to do, but now I will write out long stories by hand. I have come to love my writing which many of you scrappers know takes time.

6. My Buckets-O-Goodies: I really don't know how else to describe them. I have like three or four little containers filled with a wide variety of whatever. Bits and pieces. I go through them for inspiration and to find little accents for my pages. They are unorganized in an organized way though.

DAY FIVE--oops!

2007-02-01T10:18:00.000-08:00

Ok ok...I forgot to write yesterday. I was tired and had a headache and jumped into bed early. I would right now to make up for it, but I am off to school...geology test today...yippy! So this is for yesterday...and I will write for today later tonight. I promise something somewhat interesting. :)

DAY FOUR--time

2007-01-30T09:43:00.000-08:00

So one of the things that has been swirling around in this head of mine is the idea of time.

How do I make more of it?
Better question, how do I make the most of the time I do have?
What do I really value and want to make more time for?
What do I want to spend less time doing?
How do I accomplish this?
I feel like there isn't enough time to share between all the things I like/have to do, how do I find
balance?
Do I follow a scheduled routine that concretely determines how much time I will spend doing
any one thing?
Do I take a more spontaneous approach and risk certain activities getting left out?

These are some questions that have been floating about. Then I thought it would be interesting to take a picture of each of the time telling devices that I have in my house, just to see how many they were and what ones I use the most. I have 8 clocks in my house. One on the coffee pot, one on the microwave, one on the computer, two wall clocks, an alarm clock, and one on each of our two cable boxes. That's a lot. And I use them all.

DAY THREE--brain dead

2007-01-29T21:40:00.000-08:00

Well it is another last minute late night post but I am brain dead from today. Too much paper writing and thinking. I will elaborate in the morning on what's been going through my brain. Goodnight all.

DAY TWO-Something

2007-01-28T22:21:00.000-08:00

At least I wrote something. Something is better than nothing.

Goodnight.

DAY ONE--small steps

2007-01-27T17:29:00.000-08:00

Here is my post for day one. I don't have anything clever or any pictures to add today...but I am taking small steps in doing this do-something-once-a-day thing I am trying. Today was a relaxing Saturday filled with homework, video games, and my new Creating Keepsakes issue. Off to Scott's for a little guitar heroes ( we just got the guitar yesterday and it is SO fun.) I just thought of some pictures I could post...I have been obsessed with Final Fantasy XII lately so here are a couple screen shots.

Fran is my favorite character. She is a Viera(rabbit-human cross breed) and uses a sweet bow.

The other guy is acute litte moogle...they sell stuff and give you hints.

makeover

2007-01-26T12:32:00.000-08:00

OK...so I am giving my blog a make-over...and I am committing myself to posting at least one thing a day. Some days it might only be a picture and others it might be only a sentence...sometimes it will be filled with mindless ramblings and thoughts. Whatever I am feeling for the day. I am doing this as a test of my discipline and to prove to myself that I can do one thing everyday. I must do this. So tomorrow will be Day One. I also added new links and stuff so be sure to check them out!

-danielle-

Finally...

2006-12-28T09:12:00.000-08:00

a fast working computer and coffee. Thank you Lindsey! Well right now I am here in Chicago and Lindsey is working so I am taking the morning to enjoy one of my favorite combinations...coffee and the computer. Checking email, blogs, myspace, and looking at twopeas of course. I can't wait to get home so I can scrap again. I am thinking of reorganizing and sorting through the office, a big task but I will have 10 days before school starts. I am also going to go through all of my digital pictures, edit them and burn them to discs so I can start organizing them that way. Hopefully my mom will be getting me some ink so I can print out some of them on my printer for scrapping. Happy to be away from the family right now...being around them (all except my sibby and grammy) can be stressful since I am not used to it. I miss Dave. He is going home today and will get to see Lou pooch(oh how I miss her and the Trixinator.) I will be glad to have him back home to take care of the house and the animals. I am looking forward to getting back to normal life and have already made a couple New Years resolutions in my head. They are small, but I think will be effective. I was going to upload some pictures, but realized that I left my cord at my parents so you will just have to wait. This has been a good Christmas season, but I think next year's will be better. There was no snow this year and next year Dave and I will be spending the holidays together so that will make it extra special. Looking forward to relaxing here for a few days and being in the city. Also excited for New Year's festivities. Happy New Year! (I probably won't be posting again until 2007)

Vacation

2006-12-17T17:25:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a while since I last wrote, but with Christmas and going home and finals and all I have been super busy. I am going to Michigan tomorrow so I won't be writing for quite a while...I don't think I will be back until the 6th...but when I get back I will have lots of pictures and stories to share. Happy Holidays to everyone and talk to you next year!!!

Frusteration

2006-12-07T14:49:00.000-08:00

Grrr...My camera and computer and printer make me mad today : Trying to get the right quality of pictures to print and the right size, then I sent them to Target to get printed and went to pick them up and they tell me the printer is down and I have to wait til tonight or tomorrow. The whole goal of my day was to get my pictures in order and print and scrap, now I get to do none of that. Here is a collage of Christmas pics I put together, they look great on screen, but when I sent them to get printed the resolution was too low and they would have come out grainy. I am starting to feel behind on holiday projects...grrr.

Getting into the spirit...

2006-11-30T08:30:00.000-08:00

So... I am letting all the joy and fun of the holidays seep in slowly so I can make it last, but I think its got a hold of me and I am too excited. Last night I made homemade hot chocolate for the first time...SO GOOD! We had a fire and just sat with no music or tv, it was peaceful. Also I have been listening to Christmas music in the mornings around the house. And as we all know the weather is crazy right now across the country and we are in the 40's and 50's here in Phoenix, YES! I have got to pull out jackets and long sleeves for a bit. Enjoy the season and get into the spirit!

One More Week

2006-11-28T10:10:00.000-08:00

Only one more week of classes, then a couple finals and the fall semester will finally be over! I can't wait, then I get to go home and see my family and friends with no worries. The weather is finally shaping up here, it's been about 60 all week so I have been able to wear long sleeves. I am looking forward to have a couple weeks here with no school to work on my scrapbooking and get stuff that I want to submit done before going home. That's about it, not much else going on righ tnow, just focusing on school this week and studying and writing research papers :(

Into the season...

2006-11-25T14:30:00.000-08:00

Well Dave and I have trimmed the tree and hung our stockings, after we decorated them of course. Here are some pictures of our decorations and of our holiday turkey. We are making the most of leftover, potato pancakes for breakfast and I making turkey soup right now. Enchiladas, tetrazzini, and sandwiches are also in the works. Well back to homework and scrapping :)

Happy Turkey Day!!!!

2006-11-23T11:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!! I will post pictures of our glorious dinner later tonight. Enjoy your food, family, and friends and take time to think about what we all have to be greatful for...this may suprise you...I know it did me!!! :)

Sad News...

2006-11-22T09:11:00.000-08:00

Well I gave it my best and it was definitely a learning experience, but I am sad to annouce that Designs For You will be closing :( Not sure if it's forever or just a while. The monetary and time commitment have become too much at this point in my life. Maybe once I am done with school and settled somewhere. The silver lining is that now I will have more time to devote to school, which is something I really need to do. I wish I lived and went to school with my sister, then I would stay on track because she is so good at it :) I also will be devoting more time to my personal scrapbooking career as far as submitting layouts and projects for publication. It was fun and I am sad to let a dream go but I think the most valuable thing I've learned is that I am not the type of person to run the business part of it all, so if I make a similar venture in the future I will have to have a partner that can take on that aspect of it. With that said I am off to break the news to my customers, thank goodness there are only seven:)

Also here is a layout I did the other night. One of my favorites :)

I GOT PUBLISHED!!!

2006-11-15T21:43:00.000-08:00

Woohoo, I am so excited! I was contacted today and I am going to have a page published in a Scrapbooking Trends Idea Book that's coming out next April! I of course can't post the page because everyone has to wait to see it but it's my first publication of hopefully many! Yeah!

Reorganizing...

2006-11-12T09:19:00.000-08:00

I love reorganizing things...at least for the first 3/4 of it, then I usually grow tired and either leave the rest in a pile or spread out on the floor. This means I usually have one basket or drawer or whatever that is just a mishmosh of everything left. I bring this up because I am attempting to reorganize my scrapstuff today. It isn't that far out of control, but I could use a new way of looking at things and going through my product usually inspires me, which I can totally use right now. I am hoping that in doing this it will encourage me to sit and scrap tonight, because I haven't done a page at all this week, and that just isn't like me. Knowing where to start is indimidating me right now, so I am just going to have to jump in and go from there.

being sick suck.

2006-11-07T20:04:00.000-08:00

Today is a sick day. Some sort of sinus infection or something. No school, no work, just couching it up with chicken soup and OJ trying to feel better. I hate unproductive days and being sick makes me feel behind, but a day of rest is the best medicine most times. *sigh*

Quick thoughts

2006-11-06T08:47:00.000-08:00

Quick post before I am off to shcool...here are a picture of Sydney and Josh the two kids that I get to babysit for. It's a great job and they are so sweet, I will miss them when I am gone. Already the second week of November...that makes me happy :) I will be home again in almost a month, got my plane ticket already and am finalizing my wish list for Christmas. I also will be getting to visit Chicago, which will be the first time since I have definitely decided to move there. I think about it everyday...I am brimming with excitement. One last thing...love you sibby:)

Costumes

2006-10-30T14:06:00.000-08:00

This is for you Marlana. Here are pictures of us dressed as Mario and Luigi. Dave's picture came out better than mine did. I don't have my mustache on because we didn't permanently put them on til we got to the party and mine wouldn't temporarily stay on cause of my makeup, but you get the picture. Enjoy!

spooktacular weekend

2006-10-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

Well Halloween is almost here, and we chose to celebrate this weekend. Went to a party last night which was decorated super spooky and cool. It didn't even look like a house, it looked more like a dungeon. We ended up throwing together cheap costumes and went as Mario and Luigi. And guess what? Everyone loved them and we won 3rd place in a costume contest! I decorated a little too and we carved pumpkins (we carved them too early so they already rotted and got tossed). Here are some pics of the pumpkins, I will post Mario and Luigi later tonight or tomorrow. Everyone enjoy your Halloween!

a gloriously gloomy day.

2006-10-24T08:34:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, nothing is more refreshing here in Arizona than a gloomy day...clouds, possible rain, and a high of 75...I think a long sleeve t-shirt might be in order. School is crazy this week--3 tests and one paper...but I am plowin through it and still finding time to scrap (somehow I always do). I am not even sure if anyone has ventured in to read this blog yet, makes me curious. I have creating and Chicago on the brain today and am debating a second cup of coffee...

my first post

2006-10-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

well here is my first post! I can't believe I decided to create a blog...not very like me. I figured I would try it, but am gearing it more toward the create aspects of my life rather than my whole life but who knows where it will go. I am setting a goal of posting every other day and to include at least one picture in my post. I am starting with two of my favorite pictures...my pooch Lou and me and my sibby sib :)